Minimizing Rods and Gear - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Kailolo · 09-01-2012, 10:15 AM

Thought I'd post my approach, tested over the last few trips to LJ, to minimize rods and gear and increase speed and simplicity of changing set-ups. Maybe encourage some further sharing.

A rod pre-tied with braid/mono leader/hook, can be quickly adapted for flylining, bottom fishing and/or trolling at depth. Braid on the spool is connected via a good swivel to fluorocarbon leader. That's the basic trolling flyline. To "dropshot", say if I spy action or structure on the sonar, I attach a "weight". The "weight" is a pre-tied set-up of ~15 pound mono with a snap-swivel at both ends. A torpedo sinker is clipped to one end and the other snap-swill is clipped to the same ring of the swivel to which the braid is tied. The set-ups are kept in separate ziplocks to avoid tangling. The weights can already be attached to one end or selected at moment of use.

To troll at depth, a set-up of a light (1/4 to 2 oz) torpedo sinker attached via a light split ring to a snap-swivel that is clipped to the same ring the braid is tied. So far, no noticable wearing of the knot over the course of a day.

With two rods on-board, each being pre-tied with braid/leader/hook, and the zip-locked pre-made set-ups, I can quickly change to any configuration.

da22y · 09-01-2012, 10:43 AM

Very good point.
I saw people carrying 4, 5,6, rods (even 7 one time) on their kayak.

My first thought is : they must be the expert of kayak fishing.
But do we really need more than 3 rods at one time ?
People carrying only two rods still bring in those trophy size fish .

vincentek9 · 09-01-2012, 12:39 PM

sabiki rod (also used for calico fishing)
2 yeller rods (also used for sharks)

my friend takes 9 rods on his boat when we go yellowtail fishing. but he only uses 2 rods every time. if 1 hook breaks off, he goes to the second rod. if that breaks off, he ties a new hook on there. leaving the other 7 rods untouched.

Kailolo · 09-01-2012, 01:36 PM

I carry 3 rods, two for trolling/dropshot, one for casting. Any one of them serves for bait fishing rig by clipping sabiki to the line/ring, or even the ring on the circle hook! No sabiki rod!

09-01-2012, 10:15 AM	#1
Kailolo Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 64	Minimizing Rods and Gear Thought I'd post my approach, tested over the last few trips to LJ, to minimize rods and gear and increase speed and simplicity of changing set-ups. Maybe encourage some further sharing. A rod pre-tied with braid/mono leader/hook, can be quickly adapted for flylining, bottom fishing and/or trolling at depth. Braid on the spool is connected via a good swivel to fluorocarbon leader. That's the basic trolling flyline. To "dropshot", say if I spy action or structure on the sonar, I attach a "weight". The "weight" is a pre-tied set-up of ~15 pound mono with a snap-swivel at both ends. A torpedo sinker is clipped to one end and the other snap-swill is clipped to the same ring of the swivel to which the braid is tied. The set-ups are kept in separate ziplocks to avoid tangling. The weights can already be attached to one end or selected at moment of use. To troll at depth, a set-up of a light (1/4 to 2 oz) torpedo sinker attached via a light split ring to a snap-swivel that is clipped to the same ring the braid is tied. So far, no noticable wearing of the knot over the course of a day. With two rods on-board, each being pre-tied with braid/leader/hook, and the zip-locked pre-made set-ups, I can quickly change to any configuration.

09-01-2012, 12:39 PM	#3
vincentek9 MAYNEE-YAK Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 533	sabiki rod (also used for calico fishing) 2 yeller rods (also used for sharks) my friend takes 9 rods on his boat when we go yellowtail fishing. but he only uses 2 rods every time. if 1 hook breaks off, he goes to the second rod. if that breaks off, he ties a new hook on there. leaving the other 7 rods untouched. __________________

09-01-2012, 10:43 AM	#2
da22y Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 265	Very good point. I saw people carrying 4, 5,6, rods (even 7 one time) on their kayak. My first thought is : they must be the expert of kayak fishing. But do we really need more than 3 rods at one time ? People carrying only two rods still bring in those trophy size fish .

09-01-2012, 01:36 PM	#4
Kailolo Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 64	I carry 3 rods, two for trolling/dropshot, one for casting. Any one of them serves for bait fishing rig by clipping sabiki to the line/ring, or even the ring on the circle hook! No sabiki rod!